Firstly, a bit about me and my research. I began my doctoral studies at the University of Auckland in October 2016, in the School of Psychology, having also completed a BA(Hons) and Graduate Diploma of Teaching at the University of Auckland. My doctoral research is on the role of media exposure in early childhood development and parental influence on preschool children’s media exposure and use. My theses was submitted July 30^th so I am awaiting the oral examination. In the meantime, I have received a Faculty of Science Doctoral Impact Award to help me disseminate the findings of my research. Previously, I have been a teacher, mainly teaching Science, Mathematics and Technology. Before starting my doctoral studies, I had the opportunity to work at Growing Up in New Zealand as a Research Assistant, and I am currently working on a research project funded by the Digital Life Institute at the University of Auckland, this time looking at media use of 8-year-old children.

The aim of this blog is to share the information I have uncovered in my doctoral research with parents of preschoolers, health professionals who work with families with young children, and other people who might be interested in this fascinating and very topical subject. Now that society is inundated with screen media, New Zealand parents are compelled to make choices on a daily basis about the role that screen media will pay in their children’s lives and what sort of home media environment they will provide for their child. My doctoral research, which has examined the role of media exposure in childhood development and parental influences on preschool children’s media use and exposure, can provide some interesting and informative insights into the possible outcomes of screen media exposure on early childhood development, and media parenting practices that might be the most effective for managing children’s screen media use. My research used data from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study, New Zealand’s contemporary cohort study, as well as empirical data from a study we conducted in the Early Learning Lab in the School of Psychology, University of Auckland. As well as sharing the findings of my own research, I would also like to reflect on findings of other important research in the field, and share  some of my own perspectives on screen use of preschool children.